M-Net’s Invisible, Adapted from Deon Meyer’s Blood Safari, Premieres 14 October Starring Abbie Cornish and Dougray Scott
Starring Australian actress Abbie Cornish and Scottish actor Dougray Scott, the eight-part series follows two investigations that lead into a dangerous network of secrets and corruption.
A missing brother and a deadly conspiracy
The story begins in Hoedspruit, where local poachers are being killed one by one by a mysterious assailant. SAPS investigator Colonel Jack Phatudi begins a manhunt to uncover who is behind the killings and why.
Thousands of kilometres away in London, South African expat Emma Le Roux receives a desperate phone call from her brother, who disappeared more than 20 years earlier. Convinced he is still alive, Emma returns to South Africa and hires bodyguard Martin Dekker to help track him down.
Their search soon pulls them into a conspiracy that reaches deep into the country's past and the highest levels of power. The series also draws on real events, including the mysterious 1986 plane crash that killed former Mozambican president Samora Machel.
International stars meet South African talent
Cornish, known for Limitless and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, plays Emma Le Roux, while Scott, whose credits include The Hack and The Crow Girl, portrays Quintus Wernich.
They are joined by a South African cast that includes Tim Theron, Tumisho Masha, Frank Rautenbach, Kim Engelbrecht, Chi Mhende and Siv Ngesi.
Directed by Jozua Malherbe, the series is written by Will Schneider and Deon Meyer, with additional writing by Amy Jephta. Meyer also serves as an executive producer on the adaptation of his bestselling novel.
“A thriller with real heart”
The cast and creative team recently celebrated the series at its red-carpet premiere where guests watched the first three episodes.
Scott flew in from London for the occasion, joining Theron, Engelbrecht, Masha, Ngesi, Rolanda Marais and Meyer. Other guests included Minister John Steenhuisen, Julia Anastasopoulos, Bok van Blerk, Celeste Loots, Deon Lotz and Beáta Bena.
Scott said the trip was worth it, praising both the production and the people behind it.
“South Africa is an extraordinary place to make a series, and seeing the cast, the crew and this audience come together tonight made it all feel real,” he said.
Describing the production, he added: “Invisible is a thriller with real heart, and I am proud to be part of it. I cannot wait for viewers to see it.”
On the day of the screening, the cast and creative team met the media at a press junket at the Twelve Apostles Hotel in Camps Bay.
Theron, who produces and stars in the series, also reflected on bringing the story to the screen.
“Blood Safari is such a successful and much-loved Deon Meyer story, so to have made the journey from those pages to Invisible, and now finally to audiences, is incredibly rewarding,” he said.
He ended with a message for viewers ahead of the broadcast: “We can’t wait for viewers across South Africa to join us when the first episode premieres on M-Net on 14 October. You’re not ready!”
From the Silwerskermfees to M-Net
Invisible had its exclusive first screening at the kykNET Silwerskermfees on 19 August, before the Cape Town premiere brought the series closer to its national television debut.
The series is produced by Cape Town-based Scene23, alongside Berkeley Media Group and Dugga Boys Productions, in association with MultiChoice, a Canal+ company, and ITV Studios. ITV Studios handles international distribution.
With a story rooted in South African locations and history, an international cast and a mystery that unfolds across two continents, Invisible brings Meyer’s crime-fiction world to the screen.
The series premieres on M-Net on Wednesday, 14 October at 8pm, with new episodes airing weekly. Episodes will also be available on DStv Stream and Catch Up.